Agfa Promotes Education, Research with Donation of Workflow and Plates to PIA/GATF

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Press release from the issuing company

Ridgefield Park, NJ – May 23, 2007 – Agfa Graphics announced today that as part of its commitment to education and research in the graphic communications industry, it has donated an :ApogeeX 3.5 workflow management system and :Azura chemistry-free thermal plates to the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) for the group to use in many of its popular and innovative programs. Agfa, an advocate of advanced research & development, continuous education, and creative growth, and a long-time supporter of PIA/GATF, has made many donations to the organization in the past. PIA/GATF is headquartered in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
"PIA/GATF is devoted to helping its members, as well as the entire industry, continue to grow in efficiency, technical leadership, creativity and profitability. As one of the leading R&D and technology firms in the industry, we are well aware of the value the organization brings to our customers," said Agfa's Susan Wittner, director of marketing, North America. "Providing scholarships, outreach programs and technical research requires industry-leading solutions, and Agfa is pleased to be part of those efforts."
"Agfa has followed the efforts of PIA/GATF for many years, and our goals are made all the more reachable with the dedicated support they provide," said Julie Shaffer, director of the group's Digital Printing Counsel. "With more than 11,000 member companies and a recently completed research and education program expansion, having the use of such leading systems as :ApogeeX and :Azura will be a tremendous asset as we move forward with our projects and plans."
Agfa's :ApogeeX 3.5 workflow system features more JDF (Job Definition Format) and JMF (Job Messaging Format) functionality than previous versions, enabling prepress departments to gain additional automation functionality and throughput. The :Azura thermal, negative working plate, utilizing Agfa's ThermoFuse™ laser technology that removes all processing variables without the use of chemicals, is specially designed for low- to medium-volume commercial printing.